Sharks edge Panthers 21-20 in NRL finals thriller to set up Storm showdown
CRONULLA have staged some epic battles against the Storm in recent years and, after clinching one of the most heart-stopping matches of the season, will now go to Melbourne holding no fear.
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SHANE Flanagan concedes Paul Gallen will be racing the clock to play in Cronulla’s preliminary final against arch rivals Melbourne next Friday night.
The 37-year-old veteran Gallen was forced the field with a shoulder injury early in the second half of his side’s gripping 21-20 victory over Penrith.
In a heart-stopping second half, Penrith fought back from 18-2 down at half-time scoring three unanswered tries.
But it was a 75th minute field goal to Chad Townsend that set up a showdown with the Storm.
Penrith had an opportunity to level soon after but Nathan Cleary couldn’t land a clear chance, while the young halfback also missed another desperate long-range attempt near full-time.
Flanagan said he was pleased with the first half performance, and proud of the way his team ultimately dug in until the full-time siren.
“We were ready to be knocked out then but we just hung on and showed some real grit and found a way to win,” Flanagan said
But the spotlight no doubt will turn to Gallen in the next few days, although Flanagan appeared less concerned about Luke Lewis’s chances after he also succumbed to an ongoing calf problem.
“(Lewis) should be okay,” Flanagan said.
“Gal is just a wait and see. We will get a scan. Touch wood that he is okay but it is a bit unknown.
“When Gal doesn’t come back on I am real concerned. He usually can just go in and get it strapped up and battle on. For him not to come back in a big semi-final is a bit concerning.”
The Sharks have staged some epic battles against the Storm in recent years and will now go to Melbourne holding no fear.
“I am obviously excited about it,” Flanagan said.
“We have had some great tussles with them obviously from the (2016) grand final.
“They have been fantastic games.
“We have been lucky enough to win some and unlucky on a couple of occasions or they have been too good for us.
“It is a real challenge going down there on the back of Melbourne having a week off.
“They will be fresh.
“They will have some players back from suspension (Will Chambers) and injury (Nelson Asofa-Solomona) so we will have to be on our game if we are going to play in the grand final.”
After letting in three first half tries, the Panthers appeared no chance but showed great character to fight their way back.
Despite missing his chance to lock the scores late, Cleary had a fine game while his halves partner James Maloney had a night to forget.
The match-up between Maloney and Matt Moylan was all the talk in the build-up but it was the Sharks’ five-eighth who emerged a clear winner.
Townsend also put on a terrific show, scoring the first try backing up Andrew Fifita while he played a hand in Valentine Holmes’ touchdown and his general kicking game was outstanding.
Cleary was in the thick of the Panthers’ fightback.
He put on a superb chase to claim a clever Tyrone Peachey kick after Holmes looked to have the ball covered.
It was the start of an enthralling final 30 minutes.
Isaah Yeo then crashed before big Viliame Kikau produced a barnstorming charge that ended with a try to Waqa Blake.
Cleary’s conversion locked the scores at 20-all heading into the final 10 minutes.
But unfortunately for Penrith they lost their way and Cronulla showed all their experience to close out the match.
Through the middle, Andrew Fifita, Gallen and Matt Prior were superb in the first half while Fifita finished with a game-high 171m.
Lewis also had some memorable moments.
With their season finished, the question for the Panthers will be where to now.
The sacking Anthony Griffin has left the club treading water and as good a job as Cameron Ciraldo has done it would be hard to imagine Penrith would go into a new season with such a young head coach.
Rumours won’t go away about Ivan Cleary’s future and they will only intensify as Nathan now moves to settle his own future beyond 2019 come November 1.
CRONULLA 21 (V Holmes L Lewis C Townsend tries V Holmes 4 goals C Townsend field goal) bt PENRITH 20 (W Blake N Cleary I Yeo tries N Cleary 4 goals) at Allianz Stadium. Referee: Ashley Klein, Adam Gee. Crowd: 19,211